The Electrics Archive
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Welcome to the Electrics Archive! This online collection is dedicated to documenting items used in electrical installations from all around the world, their function and the way they work. This includes, but isn't limited to: fuses, breakers, power meters, light switches, sockets, plugs and extension cords.

Aside from showcasing various kinds of items, there are also pages used to explain the theory behind electrical installations, as well as ones to summarise the main features of installations from a few geographical areas.

WORK IN PROGRESS - links may be broken

General information - electrical installations and items from:
North America, Continental Europe, Italy
Schuko plugs and sockets
Earthed plugs used in many countries in Europe and elsewhere
French plugs and sockets
Plugs and sockets (with an earth pin) seen in France, Belgium and some other countries
European non-earthed plugs and sockets
Plugs and sockets in use before the current earthed standards
British plugs and sockets
3-pin BS 1636 plugs and sockets found in the UK, Ireland and some other countries
North American plugs and sockets
Earthed and non-earthed plugs with flat pins from North America
Japanese plugs and sockets
Electrical items in use in Japan, including some twist-lock sockets
Europlugs
Small non-earthed plugs compatible with all sockets in continental Europe
Italian plugs and sockets
An extensive look at Italian plugs, sockets, adaptors and power strips
Danish plugs and sockets
An overview of the unique Danish standard of plugs and sockets
Swiss plugs and sockets
Various types of (old) plugs and sockets used in Switzerland
Industrial plugs and sockets
Heavy duty connectors for single- and three-phase power used in Europe
Other plugs and sockets
Other standards of plugs and sockets, including light fixture plugs
Light switches and other electrical accessories from:
North America, Continental Europe, UK/Ireland
European fuses and vintage breakers
Diazed fuses formerly used in large parts of Europe; examples of old breakers
Old Italian fuse and breaker boxes
Types of fuses and breakers formerly used in Italy over the years
Power meters and cutouts
Meters used for measuring electrical energy and fuses to protect the incoming supply
Safety features
Safety enhancements present in electrical installations in order to prevent shocks
Electrical wiring - from the transformer to the home
Split-phase transformers, Earthing systems, Radial/ring circuits, Wall boxes
BTicino Magic plugs and sockets
The failed Italian polarised "Magic" safety plugs, created in the 60s by BTicino
Vintage Italian plugs
Old, obsolete types of Italian plugs, connector sockets and adaptors
Vintage Italian sockets and light switches
The evolution of electrical accessories in Italy, from ceramic items to modern wall boxes
Old Italian industrial plugs
Industrial plugs and sockets used in Italy before the IEC 60309 ones
Other items
Items in the collection that don't fit in any of the other pages
Travel adaptors
Adaptors used to convert between plug standards when travelling
Image gallery
A closer look at certain items and comparison pictures between them
Terminology
Technical terms used on this website and an explanation of their usage
More pages: History of the Italian electrical system, Unusual electrical features worldwide, Temporary pages
External resources: Recent updates: